Vinny's - comment - Vision Mikey, I don't know why this sunny Sunday has been the day for me to revisit this slice of fried gold, but resist I could not. What a great piece for which I thank you unreservedly. For all the readers of our adventures over the years, thank you for your time – which does seem rather self-congratulatory because the pleasure was ours – but in particular our Number one fan Uncle Richard (Ageless) who’s comments always proved far more entertaining than the posts themselves.Auf wiedersehen.

Vinny's Uncle Richard (aged 104) Well, that was a journey to be envied. Written so interestingly, interwoven with threads of intrigue and wonderment, I loved reading it at the time, as well as all your photos. Your concluding chapter is a delight. Thank you Mike for looking out for our precious nephew Neil (aka Vinny). And thank you Neil for providing an insight (albeit censored I am sure) into what young lads get up to when imagination and daring flourish unbounded . It reinforces my belief in the strength of friendships as well as the bonds of family.

foolsgold sorry

adammeyer495 Well said my man. It was a pleasure to meet everyone there, and it was one of those experiences that will stay with us for a lifetime! Hopefully I'll write the final chapter to my Travelpod someday too. I know! I'll do it when you and Katrina come visit us in Missouri. There. No take backs. Can't wait to see you all again!

foolsgold Oh Adam... you don't need to remember your login details to see new posts, it's not like I've done it and it's a secret and only when you login you can see it. I've been remiss. I've been busy. But it's coming. I love you. x

foolsgold f*** me I look young and thin in that photo.

adammeyer495 Hey you. Where's that post you promised. I went through the trouble of typing five passwords until I found one that worked just to see the reunion post and nothing. Get to typing.

Random internet guy I was looking up info on the trans-siberian railway a few months ago and I came across your blog. Even though it's 4 years old I read a few entries and low and behold I kept reading (kudos on getting the boat to Oz), anyway I know life and more so funds dictate how and when you have to call an end to living the travel dream!! I don't usually comment on much but after reading your stories to this point I recon you need a finishing point and lets face it nows as good a time as ever even if it is 4 years on!

Calignee I have been to Cebu 8 times and i feel sorry for you because you never discovered the real Cebu, sure the food my be a lot different to what you have tried before , but if you explore real Cebuano eateries you will discover real gems of local tasty foodsespecially fish and vegetable dishes. I have visited many parts of Cebu and circumnavigated it by car and stayed at many nice resorts and also some very fine hotels with rock bottom prices the Diplomat in ramos street comes to mind with superior rooms for 1300 pesos for 2 people or about $30 aus for a good 3 and a half star hotel within walking distance of uptown Cebu City.The people of Cebu are the friendliest people you are ever likely to meet, i have never been threatened or robbed and have always tried to ride in jeepneys and trycycles because its what locals do, the locals always chat to me in the jeepneys even the lovely women, and the sex trade is considerably more low key than in Kings cross in sydney. I walk around freely at night and in the daytime even in areas like Alaska Mambaling which is a squatter area and all the people say hello and ask where i am from, i am seeing a mature philippino woman who is my girlfriend and i really like the climate and the prices are so cheap its riciculous and i try to tip generously any and all who give excellent service , which is most peopleThe service in the philippines is outstanding and extremely curteous even to philippinos and is the4 best i have encountered anywhere in the world. I hope other people will take your comments with a kilo of salt and go and see Cebu for them selves and enjoy exploring and eating and drinking on a shoestring budget . Cebu is a wonderful place to visit and i am going to spend most of my time there when i retire

DennisM With regards to food in the Philippines, we need to remember that the restaurants there adapt their menu for majority of the market which are the locals.Only a small number or restaurants do cater for westerners and are mostly in financial difficulty. Just because Filipino foods are presented and prepared differently doesn't make them crap, it only means you are not used to it. If someone only likes to eat healthy stuff then they should eat raw fish and vegies all the time. Chinese cuisine which is so popular here in Australia are not so healthy as well but people do enjoy eating it, so as the deep fried chckens from KFC! Its all about growing up with them and getting used to them. Kimchi which may be a shock to most people is a staple in Korea, it may be pungent but that does'nt make it crap. Its all about culture.I guess If someone likes his bangers & mash exactly the way he want's it then he should'nt leave his country.

DennisM Hi asitejust4u!Thanks for your insight . I guess you are right, we need to see the negatives and be aware that they exist and try to make them possitives. You are also right about the locals not protecting and not taking care of their environtment enough. It's a pity. But the problem is deeply rooted the mindset of the people, the lack of guidance and leadership form their Governement and their Church. The Philippines had been and are still being "raped" by corrupt officials with no interest in change because they know that change for the better will affect their wallets and that goes for the Churches as well.It is well percieved in the West that the Philippines is a very poor country, but they dont't know the truth. The Philippines is a rich country. They have a lot of natural resources, gold & minerals and some oil and of course the millions of Filipino workers abroad sending billions of dollars to the Philippines each year. But then again those resources are just being stolen by the people that are supposed to be running the country.Environmental care comes with economic status. If a society is pre-dominantly poor then the casualty will be the environment.

asitejust4u Ok Dennis..Pity locals cant see what BEAUTY they have in beaches, the mountains. What resources they have in sunlight and gorgeous weather and fresh water and abundance of tropical fruits and vegetables. The country has a SIGNIFICANTLY better community structure, spirit and environment than anything in the west has to offer. Thats why i choose to live here.I guess you need to see the negatives to make them positive. I would love to join forces and provide more education/programs about the rubbish on the beaches, burning rubbish next to the ocean and dynamite fishing. Its a pity to be swimming around ladies sanitry pads, plastic bags and the like on beaches and seeing people just carelessness throwing rubbish onto the beach and into the ocean. Yes, and your example. Theres some grubs that come here ... i see it .. they dont even say boo to the guys that open the doors and the waiters. Thats what i said to a friend. Imagine you dont have people to greet you at the store, where someone doesnt say peekaboo in the shop when you are being served... make the most of it... say HI back and be nice :)

DennisM 6 months! I have lived in Cebu for more than a year when I opened a business there and lived in Manila for almost 17 years. I'm based in Australia. I have seen the worst and best things of both countries. All I'm saying is that no matter where you are there are positives and negatives. If you focus on just the negatives it will blur your perspective in life. When I was in cebu I met a lot of fellow Australians sayin " if I have the money I will buy a ticket home and leave this dump!" well all I can say to them was "what kind of st---p c--t goes to a city with no means of going back home?' maybe a bit harsh but makes you wonder what kind of mentality this guys have.

DennisM My last comment was directed at you : I LIVE HERE

Dennis M Guys if you hate the Cebu so much why not leave? No one is forcing you to live there! All countries have their problems. Why not focus on the positive stuff rather than dwell on the negative things.